Trinity Bellwoods welcomes The Lucky Penny, a new café-general store hybrid with a 25-seat patio

Debbie Rix’s original intention wasn’t to open The Lucky Penny in the midst of a polar vortex. The first-time entrepreneur was beset by a number of physical and bureaucratic delays, but we doubt the neighbourhood will complain: the Shaw Street space was vacant for nearly 20 years before Rix turned it around. The new café and general store, which opened last Sunday, is a one-stop-shop for Trinity Bellwoods park-goers, offering groceries, sweets, sandwiches, coffee, dog toys and more—even comic books. Nearly all the comestibles are sourced from local purveyors (such as Glory Hole Doughnuts, Sanagan’s Meat Locker, Blackbird Baking Co. and Moo Milk Bar), but the biggest sellers, so far, are jawbreakers and Pixy Stix thanks to the nearby public school. Once the city thaws, The Lucky Penny will open its 25-seat patio and get into ice cream, too.

The Lucky Penny, 189 Shaw St., 416-516-9666